All the way to the ranch, Clay studied on how to deal with George. Naturally, if he was arrested the matter should be closed, but somehow he didn't feel right about it. Seeing Amy suffer like that, made him want to meet George head on. Not doing anything about it was hard.
Billy and Becca were glad to see him, even though it was late when he got in.
"What happened?" Billy asked as Becca fixed them some coffee and they sat at the kitchen table. After telling them what happened, both of them were wide-eyed.
"George is responsible for it. For some reason, she went out there to break the engagement off. He didn't take the news too well. She's got busted ribs, a black eye and a busted lip. She's in a lot of pain right now. Beatrice got hold of the Sheriff and filed a complaint immediately, to have him arrested. They went after him."
"Did you see them lock him up?" Billy asked his face a storm cloud.
"No…but I'll be checking on that tomorrow. And he better be behind bars."
"Is she going to be alright?" Becca asked as she sat down at the table by Billy.
"Yeah, with plenty of rest. I want the two of you to know that I offered for them to come out here and stay with us until things settle out. Beatrice filed for divorce; she and Amy are living in the hotel. I thought if they came out here, maybe they wouldn't run into so much trouble. Beatrice seemed to appreciate the invite. I never saw that woman look so unsure of herself. She's trying to act strong, but now with Amy in such bad shape, she's about to fall apart." Clay said, looking from one to the other. "But if either of you object, tell me now."
Billy looked at Becca; Becca smiled and put her hand on Billy's. "We don't object, it's a good idea."
"I can't imagine Beatrice and Martin getting a divorce after all this time. I mean what is it, twenty-four or five years? Why now?" Billy asked.
Clay smiled a more relaxed smile than he had in a long time. "Thanks, I appreciate you welcoming them. Yeah, but Martin kicked her out, physically kicked her out and she had no choice. She didn't say why, or what went on before that, but it must have been some argument. I think this is one time that a divorce has been too long coming. I'm sure Amy is upset about it. But…due to her condition, I really didn't get a chance to talk to her."
"Is George responsible for burning the place down too?"
"No, and I am sure of that." Clay looked at Billy. "I went out to his place and confronted him with it the other day." Clay shook his head. "He didn't do it. Which, I have to admit, surprised me. But…he knows who did, and he won't tell."
Billy watched him closely.
Clay shook his head. "He's not that dumb. In truth, it could be a lot of people. It could be a bunch from town, or just one person that wants to get rid of me. Since I've been back, I feel as though I’m some kind of explosive, waiting to go off. I'm bringing trouble to you and I don't want that. You don't deserve it. I've thought of going away, but…that won't solve anything, you're still my brother, and it would make me look like a coward. I've got to find out who did it, and I've got to see that George pays for what he done, too. Although I don't have a lot of faith in the justice system here in this town, Beatrice made the first move and I won't upset that. It was the right thing to do. Going to the law first was right. I respect that." Clay informed them. "You don't know how hard it is for me to control my temper. When I saw Amy, it was all I could do to keep from going straight to George and tearing into him. The only reason I didn't was that Beatrice said she sent the Sheriff after him. That's what Amy wanted."
"Poor Amy. She must be in a lot of pain." Becca shook her head. "I can't imagine anyone attacking a woman. Especially a fiancée."
"According to Beatrice, she rode back to town in the pouring rain, and in such pain that someone had to drag her from her horse and carry her inside the hotel." Clay frowned.
Clay glanced at Becca. "I'm a little surprised at George. I didn't think him that low. If I had my way about it, he'd be looking worse than her right now. But…we'll see what the law does first. At least the doctor gave her laudanum."
"So we aren't going after the one that burned the place?" Billy asked.
Clay saw the anger building inside Billy and he wanted to temper it, for now.
"Not until we know who it is, Billy. Even then, we should turn it over to the law first, or take them to the law, one." Clay decided.
"What do we do in the meantime?" Billy asked, anxious to find the ones that burned the ranch.
"Wait. It's a game of patience. I know that isn't your strongest point, but we've got a ranch now, and a family and nothing is as important as that. Except…Amy and Beatrice too. They are so alone now, and in need of a family atmosphere. That's why I invited them out here. Thought it might restore some of their faith in family." Clay glanced at Billy, noting the way his finger hooked into his cup. He sipped his coffee and stared at the floor for a while. "I can't imagine Beatrice going through this at her age. I sure never seen her so dispirited."
"So did you and Amy get things straight?" Bill asked.
Clay shook his head and looked at Billy. "No…she's not up to that right now. You should have seen how bad she looked. She's got a black eye, a swollen lip, and her ribs hurt so much she can't hardly breathe. She could hardly move. And I couldn't…touch her." Clay looked distraught. "She's in too much pain to do any talking or anything else."
Billy almost smiled. "Or anything else?"
"Yeah…" Clay nodded with a smile.
"Will George do time for it?" Billy scrutinized his brother.
"I don't know. She isn't his wife, so he had no right to beat her." Clay saw Becca's head come up in surprise. He explained. "Well you see, a man can legally beat his wife and the law won't interfere, but since they weren't married yet, that should make some difference. I'm waiting to see how this all plays out. I think they might try to put him in prison a while. However, one thing, George has a lot of political clout in this town. You know, he's acting Mayor, so I don't know if they'll do anything. They might try to sweep this under the rug so to speak. But I assure you of this, if they don't, I will."
"That would be a good thing." Billy nodded with a slight smile.
Clay glanced at Billy. "It sure would make me feel better. Holding back the anger, sure takes a lot of work."
There was a silence in the room, and then Clay looked around.
"Juan and the men gone to bed?"
"Yeah, they were bone tired. We're building a bunkhouse for them to live in while they are here." Billy told him. "The barn is nice, but it's no place to live. They said they all enjoyed staying here, and helping out."
"Now that's a dandy idea." Clay perked up. "I should have thought of that sooner. You know, your father was very generous to send them here. I can't begin to tell you how much they have worked and been there for us."
"He knows how rough things can get, especially when you are first starting out. They had a hard time when they first started building their ranch together. The Indians gave them such a fright. And dad, bless his heart, he just can't quite forgive them for all they did back then. Even though now, they seek peace, Dad still holds a grudge with them. And that's not like him to be vindictive."
"Sometimes, things happen that are hard to forgive. I can understand that. But I'm going to write your father and thank him for sending Juan and his men. I don't know what we would have done without them."
"It's a little strange. Dad doesn't make friends that easily with people, but you and Billy…it was different somehow. Like he recognized you as good people from the start. That doesn't happen often. My father can be a hard man at times, but he's always fair…except maybe to the Indians."
"Most of our Indian trouble has died down now, since they are on the reservations in Oklahoma Territory. But every now then there is a flare up. And the wars between the white man and the red are as bloody and unforgiving as the one I just came from." Clay admitted. "You know…the war is over, but in the hearts of the people of the south, I'm not sure it will ever be over. The south lost, and it was a huge blow to the ego. Pride can do a lot of harm. And the south had a lot of pride. Nevertheless, as far as I'm concerned, that war is over. I want some peace, myself."
"You fought for the North didn't you? That must have been a hard decision" Becca asked him.
"Yeah…" He waited to see her reaction, but it wasn't what he thought it would be.
"My father didn't fight in that war, but he thought seceding from the Union was wrong. He favored the north too. Knowing how people felt, he didn't talk much about it. We don't believe in slavery, we believe in hard work, and pay for what is done." Becca smiled at him, and laid a hand over his.
"By golly, I'd have married her myself, if you hadn't beat me to it, Billy." Clay laughed.
Billy chuckled. "So you and Amy gonna straighten this out between you?"
Clay looked at Billy seriously.
"I hope so. Given time. What she went to do, took courage. And what he did, it will take some getting used to for her. I wish she hadn't gone alone." Clay sighed. "Well, I think I'll turn in for the night. I'm gonna get up early, do some chores and maybe run into town tomorrow and see if she's any better, and if they have decided whether they want to come out here. Amy might not be able to travel for a few days though."
Becca smiled at him. "Try to get some rest. Goodnight."
"Yeah. See you guys in the morning. Thanks for the coffee, Becca." Clay smiled.
Becca smiled.
"See ya," Billy smiled as he got up and followed Becca to the bedroom.
Clay sat there at the table for a few minutes. He bowed his head and whispered. "Thank you God, that she's gonna be alright. I appreciate that. I also want to thank you for sending Becca to Billy. She's swell. In Jesus name…Amen."
He went to bed and slept like a baby.